HEKS/EPER is making a difference in the «Church parish partnerships» in India

India's economic upswing is benefiting only a small part of the population, and some 30 per cent the people continue to live below the poverty line. Development is stagnating in rural areas, while conflicts over land and natural resources are intensifying. The government's pro-business policy promotes land acquisition by large investors and this is leading to ever greater marginalization of smallholders and day labourers. The Indian caste system further accentuates social differences. People who belong to no caste – called Dalits – as well as indigenous groups such as the Adivasis are systematically excluded from society. HEKS/EPER supports these minorities in obtaining land titles, securing their food supply and improving their income.

Facts

In 2017, HEKS/EPER assisted over 7000 members of the Dalit and Adivasi communities in improving their livelihoods. 3000 of them augmented their crop yields or their incomes.

Open, vibrant and socially engaged churches effectively attract members and fulfil an important role in society. HEKS/EPER therefore supports the youth and community work of church parishes in Eastern Europe and the Middle East, and contributes financially towards the renovation of buildings that are important to church life. HEKS/EPER also promotes solidarity among the Reformed Churches. Partnerships between church parishes in Switzerland and abroad pave the way for reciprocal visits and exchanges and promote support for projects run by partner parishes. Dialogue within the reformed community and with other confessions as well as between church and society enables the Reformed Churches to play an intermediary and social role.